Terminal setting change notification

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a method, and a corresponding apparatus, for maintaining the settings of a user equipment, comprising: monitoring at least one stored setting in the terminal; responsive to a change in said at least one stored setting notifying a controller; and responsive to said notification selectively resetting said at least one stored setting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the maintenance of network parameter settingsin a device or terminal which accesses services provided by or through anetwork.

2. Description of the Related Art

In mobile communications systems, a terminal such as a mobile telephonehandset is provided with parameter settings which configure the terminalfor use in certain operations. For example, a terminal may includesettings such as network specific information for different networkservices. The different network services may include, for example, GPRSaccess information, SMS (Short Messaging Service) access information,(Multimedia Messaging Service) MMS-settings, WAP settings, user profileinformation etc. Typically the terminal is configured with networkspecific information to enable use of such services. If this networkspecific information is changed, by the user or due to a terminal error,then the services associated with the information may becomeinaccessible.

If the terminal is rendered such that the service can no longer beaccessed, a user may contact their services provider to obtain anynecessary technical support. The technical support then may attempt tocorrect the problem over the phone by accessing and downloading thecorrect parameter settings to and from the terminal, or may instruct theuser how to reconfigure the network settings of the terminal, or mayrequire that the terminal be brought in for service.

This procedure for reconfiguring the network settings isdisadvantageous. The cost to the operator is significant because of theneed to provide trained and experienced staff to provide the technicalsupport. The need to contact the service operator is inconvenient for auser of a device.

As stated hereinabove, the terminal is configured with network specificinformation to enable use of such services. In the event that a terminalis roaming, the terminal may become connected in a network to which thespecific information for which the terminal is configured may not beuseable. The fact that different network providers have differentnetwork specific information is one reason why handset manufacturerssell provider-specific variants of phones. As such the phone handset ispre-configured with the desired settings for the network. As a result,when the terminal is used for national or international roaming, certainservices may become unavailable due to non-compatibility of a currentoperator with the phone settings. The user of the terminal may be unableto send MMS or reach their Mailbox or WAP service. The only way aroundthis is to manually reconfigure the terminal settings. However thisrequires expertise on behalf of the user, and inconvenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention addresses one or more of the above-stated problems, andprovides an improved technique for ensuring the correct settings ofnetwork parameters in a terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Statements Equivalent to New Claims to be Added when Finalised.

In a first embodiment there is provided a method of maintaining thesettings of a user equipment, comprising: monitoring at least one storedsetting in the terminal; responsive to a change in said at least onestored setting notifying a controller; and responsive to saidnotification selectively resetting said at least one stored setting.

The selective resetting may be in dependence on whether the change insaid at least one stored setting is in error. The monitoring of the userequipment preferably takes place in the user equipment.

The notification to the controller preferably comprises a transmissionto an operator domain for a service associated with the at least onesetting. Thus if the setting is associated with an SMS setting, forexample, the transmission is to an operator domain associated with suchSMS service.

The notification to the controller may comprise a presence update. Assuch, the monitoring may be performed by a presence client within theuser equipment. The presence update may simply provide an indication ofa change in a certain setting, or may identify such change.

The notification selectively resetting the at least one stored settingmay comprise transmitting the at least one stored setting to the userequipment. Such transmission may be made by any means of communicationsupported by the user equipment, such as over-the-air provisioning,SyncML, or smart messaging. In an embodiment utilising presenceservices, the transmission may originate from a presence server. In analternative, the transmission may originate from a device managementserver.

The at least one stored setting may comprise one or more of a GPRSaccess point, an operator portal IP address, or SMS access information,or other variable terminal setting.

The method is preferably implemented in a mobile communication system,the user equipment being a mobile terminal which accesses servicesprovided by or through a network, such as presence services.

Embodiments further provide user equipment having at least one settingassociated with services, including: a storage means for storing said atleast one setting; and a monitoring means for monitoring said at leastone setting, and adapted, responsive to a change in said at least onesetting, to transmit a notification of such change.

The services are preferably network services, preferably mobile networkservices. The settings are preferably variable settings. The settingsare preferably user accessible variable settings.

The user equipment is preferably further adapted to receive anotification to set the at least one setting. Such notificationpreferably sets the at least one setting to its original setting beforethe detected change.

The monitoring means is preferably part of a presence client of the userequipment. The notification of the change is preferably a presenceupdate.

Embodiments still further provide a communication system comprising anetwork for providing at least one service to at least one userequipment, the network being adapted to receive a notification from auser equipment of a change in a setting of such user equipment, andresponsive thereto transmit a replacement setting to said userequipment.

The replacement setting preferably corresponds to the original settingin the user equipment.

The network preferably includes a presence server, said notificationcomprising a presence update. The presence server is preferably providedin an operator domain of the network.

The replacement setting may be transmitted by a device management serverassociated with said network.

The communication system is preferably a third generation mobilecommunication system, which system preferably supports presenceservices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will nowbe made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example implementation adapted in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred method steps performed in theembodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example implementation in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred method steps performed in theembodiment of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is described herein with reference to a particularexample, and particularly with reference to a mobile telecommunicationssystem. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that theinvention is not limited in its applicability to the describedembodiments.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the maintenance of networkparameter settings in a terminal is provided for using a presenceservice architecture. Whilst the presence service architecture providesan especially advantageous basis for the implementation of the presentinvention, the invention is not limited to a presence servicesarchitecture environment.

The provision of presence services in mobile telecommunications systemsis expected to be an important characteristic of third generation (3G)mobile communication systems. Presence services, and presence servicearchitectures, are currently subject to standardisation procedures, andthere is not yet a clearly accepted field of terminology. It shouldtherefore be understood that for the purpose of the followingdescription the functionality described is more important than theterminology used, and the invention should not be considered to belimited by any particular terminology used.

In general, presence is a dynamic (variable) profile of a user, visibleto others and used to represent the user, share information, and controlservices. Presence information may contain, but is not limited to:person (i.e. user) and terminal availability; communication preferences;terminal capabilities; current activity; and location. Presence,therefore, relates to both user and terminal status.

The invention proposes, in an embodiment, the use of the terminal statusaspect of presence services to maintain the terminal settings necessaryfor accessing network services.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated, generally: a terminal 100including a memory 104 for storing terminal parameter settings, and apresence client 102; a presence server 126 in an operator domain 124; apresence server applications interface API 130; and a device managementserver 134.

As is known in the art, the terminal 100 stores different networkspecific settings as the terminal parameter settings in memory 104.These settings may include, for example, GPRS access point informationin storage location 106, an operator portal IP (Internet protocol)address in storage location 108, and SMS (short messaging services)access information in storage location 110. Other or different networkspecific settings may be stored, e.g. MMS-settings, WAP settings, oruser profile information. The network specific information is requiredto be correctly stored in order to access the associated networkservice. For example, the SMS access information may define the SMSmessaging service centre number, without which the SMS service cannot besupported.

As currently occurs in the art, the user of a terminal may, by mistake,change one of the parameter settings, such as an IP address for aservice, in the memory 104. Usage of that service may therefore berendered impossible.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention,the presence client 102 operating in the terminal 100 is adapted tomonitor at least some of the parameter settings in the memory 104, ormonitor at least some of the key terminal settings associated withvarious services. A terminal setting may be a parameter stored withinthe terminal that is given a certain value, and as such the terms‘parameter setting’ and ‘terminal setting’ are interchangeable in thepresent description.

As such, the presence client 102 is provided with a monitor block 118,which receives on signal lines 112, 114, 116 key terminal settings fromthe memory locations 106, 108, 110. Thus the monitor block provides themeans for monitoring the key terminal settings associated with theprovision of certain network services. For example, the SMS accessinformation in storage location 110 may include various further detailassociated with the SMS service, but only the SMS call centre number maybe provided on line 116.

With further reference to FIG. 2, the presence client 102 is adaptedsuch that the monitor block monitors the parameter settings in a step200, and identifies any changes in any such settings. Responsive todetection of a change in step 202, in a step 204 the presence client 102is further adapted to notify the presence server associated therewith.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the presence client 102 is adapted such thatthe monitor block 118 sends a presence update 120 to the presence server126 in the operator domain 124. The presence update is sent using anymechanism that still has correct network settings. Thus if the presenceupdate is to notify that the SMS setting parameters have been modified,such presence update may be sent to the presence server via a GPRScommunication.

The communication of a presence update from the presence client to thepresence server is well-known to one skilled in the art, and as such adetailed explanation of the presence update mechanism is not givenherein.

The presence update therefore notifies the network operator that aterminal has an incorrect network parameter setting, and that theappropriate correct setting should be resent.

Various implementations may be provided. The communication from the userequipment may simply indicate that a particular setting has changed. Itmay indicate the value it has changed to. It may indicate that thesetting has an error in it.

In some circumstances, the change in the setting may be intentionallymade by the user. It may therefore be necessary to provide the settingvalue to the presence server in order to check the setting value.

Responsive to the presence update, the presence server 126 sends arequest for the network parameter setting to be resent to the devicemanagement server 134 in a step 206. The presence server 126 isinterconnected to the device management server 134 via the presenceserver applications interface API 130 which is a web service interface,as is known in the art. Thus the request from the presence server online 128 goes to the presence server applications interface API 130,which in turn sends a request on line 132 to the device managementserver 134. The interconnection of the presence server to the devicemanagement server is well known to one skilled in the art, and is notdescribed in any further detail hereinafter.

Finally, in a step 208 the device management server 134 resends theappropriate network parameter setting to the terminal, as represented bysignal line 136 in FIG. 1. The parameter is thus automatically reset.The parameter is resent via, for example, over-the-air provisioning,SyncML, smart messaging etc. Various techniques for configuring suchparameters in the terminal based on messages from the device managementserver are known in the art, and therefore are not described in detailherein.

In alternative arrangements, the presence server 126 may directly replyto the presence client with the correct settings for the parameters inthe terminal.

Alternatively, the presence server may interface with another networkelement or element external to the network in order to return thecorrect settings to the terminal.

The invention thus advantageously provides an automated technique formaintaining the correct parameter settings in a terminal for accessingnetwork services. Operator costs, such as operational cost, servicesmaintenance, call service, helpdesk) are minimised by the automatedmechanism.

The use of presence services clearly provides a particularlyadvantageous architecture for implementing the present invention, and aspresence services are likely to be widely implemented, it is envisagedthat an enhanced presence client will provide the most likelyapplication scenario for the present invention.

However, in general the present invention relates to an automatedtechnique for ensuring correct parameters are maintained in a terminal,and this may be provided by means other than by presence services.

It should be noted that in certain circumstances the change of a storedsetting or parameter by a user may be intentional. In such case theremay be no requirement to update the setting.

In the foregoing, an embodiment has been described in which it isdesired to maintain the terminal parameter settings. This is on theassumption that the settings remain valid. It is mentioned above thatthe user may deliberately alter the settings. An example scenario wherethe user may deliberately alter the settings is to allow operation in adifferent operator domain which supports different terminal settings. Ina further embodiment of the invention, described below, there isdescribed an automated technique for updating the terminal settings in ahandset or terminal as the handset roams into a different operatordomain.

In one arrangement of this embodiment, the presence client 102 of theterminal 100 may be adapted to detect a change of operator domain, e.g.in dependence on a change in location. Alternatively the presence clientmay monitor the terminal's network connection in order to detect achange in operator domain.

Responsive to a change in operator domain, the monitor block 118 may beadapted to transmit a presence update to the presence server 126 in theoperator domain. Responsive thereto, the presence server 126 may send arequest to the device management server 134 to transmit the currentterminal settings to the terminal, or reply directly thereto. In thisway the presence client may ensure the terminal parameter settings ofthe terminal are updated whenever the operator domain changes.

This technique may be provided without the use of presence services. Forexample responsive to the detection of the terminal being connected in anew operator domain, the terminal may be adapted to transmit a requestfor a new set of terminal parameter settings to the network.

An example implementation in accordance with this embodiment isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring to FIG. 3, to the left-hand side of the dash line 330 there isillustrated the functional elements required in the terminal or handsetfor the purpose of implementing the example embodiment of the invention.To the right-hand side of the dash line 330 there is illustrated thenetwork environment. The terminal or handset roams, and may connect intoany local operator network in its environment. In FIG. 3, three operatornetworks are shown: operator network A 324 a, operator network B 324 band operator network C 324 c. The terminal or handset will be connectedinto one of these operator networks at any time.

In the example of FIG. 3, the terminal is provided with a memory whichallows for a plurality of terminal parameter settings to be stored. Thememory is generally designated by reference numeral 302, being a memoryfor storing a plurality of sets of parameter settings. In the exampleshown, the memory 302 includes a first set of parameter settings 104 aand a second set of parameter settings 104 b. As with FIG. 1, each ofthe set of parameter settings includes the different network specificsettings required for the terminal connected to a particular operatornetwork. The settings 104 a are associated with an operator networkbeing identified as “operator A”, and the settings 104 b are associatedwith an operator network being identified as “operator B”. As in FIG. 1,each of the sets of terminal parameter settings include various values106-110, appropriately designated as a or b. As also with FIG. 1, eachof the sets of parameter settings are output on signal lines 112-116,with appropriate designations a or b. In the example embodiment of FIG.3, the signals on lines 112-116 are input to a select block 318, andthen one set of the signals is provided on an output signal line112A-112C to the monitor block 118, which generates a signal on line 320as in FIG. 1. Thus it can be seen that select block 318 merely operates,as described further hereinbelow, to present the appropriate set ofterminal parameter settings to the monitor block 118. Only one set ofterminal parameter settings is provided for use at any one time.

Although FIG. 3 illustrates that the memory 302 may be provided with twosets of terminal parameter settings, there may be provided furtherparameter settings. Alternatively, one set of parameter settings may bea fixed set of parameter settings associated with the terminal's homenetwork, and the other set of parameter settings may be available fortemporary storage of the current parameter settings of a visitednetwork.

The terminal is further provided with a parameter control block 306,which receives on lines 304 a and 304 b the identities of the networkoperators associated with the respective sets of terminal parametersettings in the memory 302. The parameter control block 306 alsoreceives on line 310 the identity of the current network from a currentnetwork block 308. The parameter control block 306 provides an outputsignal 314 to control the select block 318, and an output signal 312. Asdescribed hereinbelow, the output signal 312 is a request for parametersettings to the operator network. The terminal receives parametersettings from the operator network as designated by a communicationinput line 316 which forms an input to the memory 302. Generally,reference numeral 322 represents the interface between the mobileterminal and the current operator network with which a connection isestablished, via a radio access network (not shown).

Each of the operator networks 324 a-324 c are connected, as discussedfurther hereinbelow, to a setting server 328 via a respective connection326 a-326 c.

The operation of this embodiment of the invention is now describedfurther with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4.

In a step 400, the terminal monitors the current operator networkidentity. The current network identity is stored in the block 308 andprovided on line 310 to the parameter control block 306. Thus theparameter control block 306, for the purposes of this example, monitorsthe current network identity.

If in step 402 the parameter control block 306 identifies a change inthe network operator, then there is a requirement to update the terminalparameter settings for the new operator network.

In a step 404, the parameter control block 306 determines whether theoperator parameters for the new operator network are already availablein the terminal. In this respect the parameter control block 306compares the network identity on line 310 to the operator networkidentities on lines 304 a and 304 b. If a match is determined, then theparameter control block 306 sets the control signal 314 to control theselect block 318 to output the terminal parameter settings for theappropriate network operator. Thus in a step 406 there is made a switchto the appropriate operator parameters for the new operator network.

It should be noted that different operator networks may well share thesame settings, such that one set of terminal parameter settings may beused for multiple operator networks. In such case the operator identityassociated with terminal set 104 a or 104 b will include identities ofall associated operator networks.

If the parameter control block 306 determines that the memory 302 doesnot store a set of terminal parameter settings for the current networksetting, then in a step 408 the parameter control block 306 transmits asignal on line 312 in order to request the appropriate set of terminalparameter settings from the operator network. In practice, the signal online 312 may be a control signal which is interpreted by otherfunctional means within the terminal for transmission to the operatornetwork.

In a preferred embodiment, there may be provided a single settingsserver 328 which stores the terminal parameter settings for all operatornetworks. As such the operator network within which the terminal iscurrently connected, may forward a request for terminal parametersettings to such settings server, and return a reply from the settingserver to the terminal. Alternatively the operator network itself mayprovide the necessary terminal parameter settings.

In the present example, it is assumed the terminal has moved to a newoperator network, being operator network C 324 c. The radio accessnetwork associated with the operator network C receives the request forthe new terminal parameter settings, and sends the request on line 326 cto the setting server 328. The appropriate terminal parameter settingsare retrieved and returned to the operator network C, and forwardedthrough the radio access network to the terminal. The settings arereceived on line 316, and stored in the memory 302. Step 410 refers tothe step of receiving the new operator parameters.

The operator parameters may be stored in an existing set of terminalparameter settings, i.e. they may overwrite a current set, or may bestored in an available vacant memory space.

In embodiments, the memory 302 may be provided with sufficient space foronly one set of parameter settings, and only one set of parametersettings may be stored at a time. As such, the current set of terminalparameter settings are overwritten by any new set. This will require anupdate transaction, including an access to the operator network,whenever a mobile terminal enters into a new operator domain. In apreferred embodiment where the memory 302 allows for storage of multipleterminal parameter settings, a network access is not always required, ascertain terminal parameter settings are always available in the terminalhandset, such as the terminal parameter settings associated with theterminal's home network.

The request on line 312 for a new set of terminal parameter settings maybe processed in any number of ways by the operator network. As discussedin the embodiment of FIG. 1, the parameter control block 306 may beassociated with presence services, and a presence server in the operatordomain may provide the terminal parameter settings. Alternatively adevice management server in the operator network domain may provide theparameters. The provision of the parameters is an implementation issue.

In an embodiment, the request on line 312 to access and obtain a revisedset of terminal parameter settings may be optional, and via the userinterface of the terminal the user may be given the option as to whetherthe terminal settings should be updated. Such an optional feature may beparticularly useful when the memory 302 is able only to store one set ofterminal parameter settings. As this will require the overwriting of thedefault terminal settings for the home network, the user may not alwayswish to replace the settings. Furthermore as the updating of thesettings requires a network access, there may be call charges or datadownloading charges associated with the update. If the user will becharged for accessing and retrieving the updated terminal parametersettings, then the option for the user to choose not to update suchsettings must be provided.

The embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 may also beused when a mobile terminal is first switched on. For example, if thephone has been switched off, and is now in a different operator networkfrom when it was previously switched on, then the above-identifiedapproach may be used in order to seek and obtain the appropriateterminal parameter settings for the operator network within which theterminal is currently connected.

As such, this embodiment advantageously provides the user with theability to automatically access mailbox-accounts, WAP-bookmarks, GPRSand MMS-settings, regardless of the user's location.

In a preferred embodiment, the request for an update of terminalparameter settings, responsive to the signal on line 312 for theparameter control block 306, is an SMS message to the setting server328. Any embodiments, which implement the present invention, may use SMSmessaging in order to seek an update of the terminal parameter settings.

The scope of the present invention is thus limited by the appendedclaims, and is not limited to any specific aspect of preferredembodiments described herein.

1. A method, comprising: monitoring at least one stored parametersetting of a user equipment; causing selective transmission of a requestfrom the user equipment to an operator network for at least one validparameter setting for accessing one or more services of the operatornetwork responsive to a change in one or more of said at least onestored parameter setting; receiving at the user equipment said at leastone valid parameter setting; and causing overwriting, in the userequipment, of at least one stored parameter setting with said at leastone received valid parameter setting.
 2. The method according to claim1, wherein the user equipment is for connection in the operator network,the at least one parameter setting being a network specific setting forthe operator network.
 3. The method according to claim 2, furthercomprising: causing transmission of the request responsive to detectingconnection of the user equipment in the operator network.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 2, wherein said at least one valid parameter settingis provided by the operator network.
 5. The method according to claim 4,wherein said operator network retrieves the at least one valid parametersetting from a parameter settings server.
 6. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising: causing transmission of the requestresponsive to detection of the absence of the at least one validparameter setting for the operator network in the user equipment.
 7. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising: causing output on auser interface of the user equipment a request for confirmation fortransmission of said request, wherein said request is transmitted independence on receipt of confirmation at said user interface.
 8. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein said request is not caused to betransmitted in dependence on said change being responsive to a requestfor a parameter setting.
 9. The method according to claim 1, whereinsaid request is caused to be transmitted responsive to a user update ofsaid stored parameter setting.
 10. The method according to claim 1,wherein said request is included in a presence update.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one stored parameter settingcomprises one or more of a general packet radio service access point, anoperator portal internet protocol address, short message service accessinformation, multimedia messaging service settings, or wirelessapplication protocol settings, and a current network identity.
 12. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the user equipment is forconnection in at least a first network operator domain, the at least oneparameter setting being a network specific setting, and wherein causingtransmission of the request comprises causing transmission of a presenceupdate in response to detection of a connection change from the firstnetwork operator domain to a second network operator domain.
 13. Anapparatus, comprising: a processor, and a memory including a computerprogram code, wherein the memory and the computer program code areconfigured, with the processor, to cause the apparatus at least tomonitor at least one stored parameter setting of the apparatus, causeselective transmission of a request from the apparatus to an operatornetwork for at least one valid parameter setting for accessing one ormore services of the operator network responsive to a change in one ormore of said at least one stored parameter setting, receive said atleast one valid parameter setting, and cause overwriting of at least onestored parameter setting with said at least one received valid parametersetting.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the memory andthe computer program code are further configured, with the processor, tocause the apparatus to be connected in the operator network, the atleast one parameter setting being a network specific setting of theoperator network.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein thememory and the computer program code are further configured, with theprocessor, to cause the apparatus to cause transmission of the requestresponsive to detecting connection of the apparatus in the operatornetwork.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the memory andthe computer program code are further configured, with the processor, tocause the apparatus to receive the at least one valid parameter settingfrom the operator network.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 16,wherein said operator network is configured to retrieve the at least onevalid parameter setting from a parameter settings server.
 18. Theapparatus according to claim 13, wherein the memory and the computerprogram code are further configured, with the processor, to cause theapparatus to cause transmission of the request responsive to detectingthe absence of the at least one valid parameter setting for the operatornetwork in the apparatus.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 13,further comprising: a user interface; a user interface transmitterconfigured to output on the user interface of the apparatus a requestfor confirmation for transmission of said request; and a user interfacereceiver configured to receive an input at the user interface, whereinsaid request is transmitted in dependence on receipt of confirmation atthe input of said user interface.
 20. The apparatus according to claim13, wherein the apparatus is not enabled in dependence on said changebeing responsive to a request for a parameter setting.
 21. The apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein said apparatus is enabled responsive to auser update of said stored parameter setting.
 22. The apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein said memory and said computer programcode are further configured, with the processor, to cause the apparatusto include said request in a presence update.
 23. A system, comprising:at least one network configured to provide at least one service to atleast one user equipment, the at least one user equipment comprising atleast one stored parameter setting, the user equipment furthercomprising a monitor configured to monitor at least one stored parametersetting of the user equipment; a transmitter configured to selectivelytransmit a request from the user equipment to the at least one networkfor at least one valid parameter setting for accessing one or moreservices of the operator network responsive to a change in one or moreof said at least one stored parameter setting; a receiver configured toreceive said at least one valid parameter setting; and a memoryconfigured to overwrite at least one stored parameter setting with saidat least one received valid parameter setting, wherein said validparameter setting is a network specific setting of said at least onenetwork.
 24. The system according to claim 23, wherein said at least onenetwork is configured to retrieve said at least one valid parametersetting from a centralized parameter setting server.
 25. The systemaccording to claim 23, wherein the request is included in a presenceupdate.
 26. The system according to claim 23, wherein the system is athird generation mobile communication system.
 27. An apparatus,comprising: means for monitoring at least one stored parameter settingof the apparatus; means for causing selective transmission of a requestfrom the apparatus to an operator network for at least one validparameter setting for accessing one or more services of the operatornetwork responsive to a change in one or more of said at least onestored parameter setting; means for receiving said at least one validparameter setting; and means for causing overwriting of at least onestored parameter setting with said at least one received valid parametersetting.
 28. A tangible computer readable medium storing a computerprogram, the computer program being configured to control a processor toperform: monitoring at least one stored parameter setting of a userequipment; causing selective transmission of a request from the userequipment to an operator network for at least one valid parametersetting for accessing one or more services of the operator networkresponsive to a change in one or more of said at least one storedparameter setting; receiving said at least one valid parameter setting;and causing overwriting of at least one stored parameter setting withsaid at least one received valid parameter setting.